7 Days Kilimanjaro Umbwe Route

Umbwe 7 Day via Stella Point (U7S)

WHY THIS ITINERARY?

Generally, we recommend the 7 Days Umbwe Route version of this route as it affords more time to acclimatize. This route is for very fit people who want a challenge ONLY. The advantage of this route over the Umbwe 6 Day or Rongai 6 Day Routes is crossing the Shira Plateau and still seeing a large portion of the national park. Also, it is easier to access and so actually a better value trip as well.

DESCRIPTION

This is a 6 day Kilimanjaro hike starting at Machame Gate, ascending through Afromontane forest and then into the heath zone and onto the edge of the remnants of the Shira volcano. The route then circumnavigates the main peak, Kibo, anticlockwise passing some spectacular features such as giant steps and glacial valleys. The key difference between the 7 and 6-day versions of this route is that the 6-day hike misses a night camping at Karanga Camp. This means the hiking section from Barranco to Base Camp is long and the time to rest before your summit bid is short. This means if you do not acclimatize well or are unfit, this is very tough. The final ascent is from the Barafu camp. It is a nighttime ascent to Uhuru Peak via Stella Point. The descent is via the Mweka route.

HIGHLIGHTS

Kilimanjaro: Afromontane forest, Shira plateau, glacial valleys and alpine desert, views of Mawenzi, the ascent of Kibo, and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!

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ITINERARY

IN BRIEF

Hike Distance – 39 miles / 62km
Vertical Gain – 17,399ft / 5303m
Drop – 17,924ft / 5463m
Trekking Time – 46 hours

IN DETAIL

DAY 1 – UMBWE CAVES

START – 5,906FT / 1800M
END – 9,351FT / 2850M
DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM
TIME – 5-7 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. Your first stop is atMachame Gate to collect your permits before getting back in your vehicle and driving to Umbwe Gate. After checking in you set off up through the forest zone. The first day hiking is not overly difficult but certainly steepens towards the latter end of the day. In the late afternoon you arrive in the first camp in time for dinner.

DAY 2 – BARRANCO CAMP

START – 9,351FT / 2850M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 4 MILES / 6KM
TIME – 4-6 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH

The second day ascends from the forest zone into the heath zone and there are some very steep sections here. Taking it easy is essential to allow your body to acclimatise. A picnic lunch is taken on route. Later that afternoon you arrive into Barranco Camp in time to relax for a while before dinner. The views of the Barranco wall and Western breach pertain to events some 60,000 years ago when this whole part of the mountain collapsed.

DAY 3 – BARRANCO CAMP (ACCLIMATISATION DAY)

START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 12,796FT / 3900M
DISTANCE – 5 MILES / 8KM
TIME – 6-8HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – HEATH / ALPINE DESERT

This day is used as an acclimatisation day but has the option to walk up the Barranco Valley, walking against the direction of all the other hikers, to Lava Tower. From here there is a short hike to Arrow Glacier Camp (16,086FT / 4903M) where you can enjoy views overlooking Lava Tower while eating a packed lunch before heading back to Barranco Camp.

DAY 4 – KARANGA CAMP

START – 12,796FT / 3900M
END – 13,108FT / 3995M
DISTANCE – 3 MILES / 5KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

From Barranco Camp, famous for its giant groundsels (Senecio species), you ascend the Barranco Wall and hike glacial valleys to Karanga Camp. Today is a relatively short day’s hike and lunch is taken at Karanga camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimatising. In the evening a practice walk for the summit is taken to make sure you are completely comfortable with the kit you are going to summit in.

DAY 5 – BARAFU CAMP

START – 13,108 / 3,995M
END – 15,332FT / 4673M
DISTANCE – 2.5 MILES / 4KM
TIME – 4-5 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – ALPINE DESERT

Today is another half day ascending to Barafu Camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. Desolate alpine desert and, at times, strong winds rip over this camp; yet in the evening splendid views of Mawenzi are the norm. A relatively early dinner is taken before heading to rest for the remainder of the evening.

DAY 6 – KILIMANJARO SUMMIT / MWEKA CAMP

START – 15,332FT / 4673M
END – 10,171FT / 3100M
DISTANCE – 11 MILES / 18KM
TIME – 14-16 HRS
CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT, ARCTIC, HEATH

Most people depart just before midnight for the final summit bid. Patience and persistence are the name of game to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak: 19341ft, 5895m) and by dawn as the first rays of light start to appear, most arrive near the rim. Ascending via Stella Point (Alt: 18,865ft, 5750m) affords a relatively short final section to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! What goes up must come down however. The first stage is to get back to our base camp for a quick change of clothes and refuel before the long hike downhill to Mweka Camp. The downhill is hard on the knees and walking poles at this stage are highly recommended. You should reach Mweka Camp before dusk for your final night on the mountain.

DAY 7 – ARUSHA

START – 10,171FT / 3100M
END – 5,381FT / 1640M
DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 10KM
TIME – 3-4 HRS
CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you descend once again through afromontane forest and around midday, after lunch, diplomats collection and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Golden Peaks Representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.

END OF YOUR 7 Days Umbwe Route

7 Days Umbwe route Includes:

  • Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • Three health and fresh meals
  • Professional and experienced mountain Guide
  • Professional and experienced cooks.
  • Transportation to & from the airport
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gates
  • Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment.
  • Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides
  • Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)
  • Radio and cell phone communication that help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise
  • We provide our guides with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates of acclimatization progress
  • Assistance with climbing permit procedure
  • Tracking of the expedition is available online in our Instagram, WhatsUp, and Facebook accounts

7 Days Umbwe  route Excludes:

  • Personal porters
  • All international and domestic flights
  • Tourist Visas
  • Medical and Travel insurance
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)
  • Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)
  • A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)
  • Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included.
  • Any other alterations to our itineraries
  • Emergency Oxygen